Animerica – Dragon Ball Z – FUNimation – Manga Video – November 1996

The first of many Dragon Ball Z covers for Animerica. This one is “The World..From A to Z”

DBZ scans I wanted to share: The first Dragonball Z broadcast ad. DBZ was first in syndication through Saban Network For Kids. Syndication in the 90’s as you see in the ad was as different times. There was no Sundays at 9:30 E/P. Syndication was not guaranteed nationwide coverage.

The second scan was an interview with FUNimation founders Gen and Cindy Fukunaga. FUNimation was San Jose California based back then. In this article, Dragon Ball Z had 88% syndication. That means some people would have to wait till Cartoon Network picks up the show in years to come.

Other ads of note was the ADV/Soft Cel ad that promote a “New English Dub Version” for their F3 – Frantic Frustrated & Female title (I wonder what that show’s about?) Ellcia was another series that didn’t last for anime fandom. It’s getting to become routine for each issue to find a title that has been forgotten by today’s fandom. Also, Misato has a lot of back for this ad.

Manga Video still confuses me. You name an anime company after printed source material, yet they still won’t say anime. Their tagline for this ad is “Manga Video – Your #1 Source for Japanimation” Plus their website address is www.manga.com/manga I’m pretty sure you could just go with www.manga.com.
Blockbuster Video decides to do retail ads – mainly calling out US Manga Corps. (again with the Manga)
Animerica anime fan art is full of Halloween Ball theme.
And finally, I leave you with the sing-a-long words for the classic: “Tonakai-san The Red-Nosed Reindeer”
And thank Twitter for this. Saban created TV bumpers for Dragon Ball Z. Enjoy the madness.